Range & Status

In British waters, this species is found mainly in rock pools in the inter-tidal zone, preferring large, deep pools on relatively exposed shores, with abundant perennial algae such as Cystoseira and Corallina species. It is also known to occur sublittorally to a depth of about 20m. Described as a new species as recently as 1978 from southern Britain, it is now known in several other areas in south-west Britain, the coasts of south-west and northwest Wales, south Devon, west and south-west of Ireland, Strangford Lough and the Isle of Man. Elsewhere it occurs southwards, to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas.